Look Up! Jesus Is Coming | Greg Laurie
Look Up! Jesus Is Coming: Living with Expectation in Uncertain Times
In today’s unpredictable world, it’s no wonder people everywhere are sensing that something big is on the horizon. We scroll through headlines filled with chaos, conflicts, and uncertainty, and even those unfamiliar with the Bible can feel that history is building toward a dramatic climax. For followers of Jesus, though, these times are not meant to be filled with fear, but rather infused with hope—because God’s Word tells us exactly what to expect and how to live in light of Christ’s promised return.
Even So, Come Lord Jesus
The longing for Jesus’ return is woven throughout Scripture, echoing the cry of the Apostle John: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” This heartfelt prayer is more than wishful thinking; it’s a confident expectation based on the authority of God’s promises. As Jesus Himself assured His followers in Luke 21, history isn’t spiraling out of control—every moment unfolds under God’s sovereign hand.
Let us take seriously Jesus’ admonition to watch and pray, to anticipate His coming with joyful hope rather than anxiety. When we open the Scriptures, especially the prophetic portions, we discover that God isn’t trying to confuse or frighten us. He intends to prepare us, strengthen us, and equip us to be His faithful witnesses until He comes.
The World Is Watching—Are These the End Times?
Across America and around the world, there’s been a marked increase in apocalyptic themes, not just in spiritual spaces but even in pop culture. Non-believers, too, are asking: Are we living in the last days? Studies tell us that a significant portion of the population—whether Christian or not—sense these are extraordinary times. That sentiment isn’t misplaced. Every generation of Christ-followers has looked forward to Jesus’ return, but the frequency and intensity of today’s global events make Bible prophecy more relevant than ever.
Bible Prophecy: Hope, Not Hysteria
One quarter of the Bible is prophecy, with a tremendous focus on the second coming of Christ. There are over 300 direct references to the return of Jesus in the New Testament—about one out of every thirteen verses. Far from being secondary or obscure, these prophecies are central to the believer’s hope.
So why should we study Bible prophecy? First, it infuses our lives with hope in a world that often feels hopeless. Jesus Himself declared, “When you see these things begin to happen, look up, for your redemption is drawing near.” It’s a call to lift our eyes from the endless doom-scrolling and remind ourselves that Jesus is the blessed hope, and His coming is not a threat—but a promise of ultimate joy.
Second, prophecy makes sense out of history and our own pain. It answers existential questions: Why so much evil? When will justice prevail? The answer: when Christ sets up His Kingdom. Until then, knowing the end of the story gives purpose and perseverance through suffering. God promises to wipe every tear, to raise the believing dead, and to reunite those separated by death—all marvelous realities described in His Word.
Prophecy Drives Us to Live Differently
Studying what God says about the end should never leave us idle or speculative. The more we grasp eternal realities, the more we’re compelled to live holy, purposeful lives now. Every Bible passage about the future is tied to a command for present faithfulness: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” Our anticipation of Christ’s return shapes our character and conduct today.
God doesn’t leave these truths locked away in code. The word “revelation” means “unveiling.” Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles urge believers not to be ignorant, but to dig in and understand. As we do, the Spirit prepares us to stand firm in a world increasingly confused by spiritual deception and moral chaos.
The Timeline of End-Times Events: What Lies Ahead?
While honest Christians may have different views on fine details, the essential outline of prophecy is clear. The next event believers look forward to is the rapture—the catching up of Christ’s church to Himself. After this, a powerful world leader, known as the Antichrist, will enter the global scene, promising peace and stability but ultimately ushering in unprecedented trouble, betrayal, and deception.
This tribulation period—seven years of intensifying judgment—will culminate in the dramatic second coming of Jesus. He will establish His kingdom on earth, beginning the Millennium, a thousand-year reign of peace and justice, ultimately ushering in a new heaven and earth. Throughout all this, God’s promises to Israel and the significance of Jerusalem stand at the prophetic center, a testament to His faithfulness.
Why Israel and Jerusalem Matter
Current events in the Middle East are not random. They are foreshadows, “labor pains” as Jesus described, pointing to the culminating events described in the Bible. Jerusalem, “the city of the great King,” is central in God’s plan, past, present, and future. Its miraculous restoration as the capital of Israel in 1948 set the prophetic clock ticking once more, a sign that God hasn’t forgotten His chosen people or His worldwide purposes through them.
Believers who understand prophecy recognize that God’s covenant with Israel is ongoing, and see the regathering of the Jewish people as one of history’s singular miracles. To grasp biblical prophecy is to keep a watchful eye on Israel and to support God’s people, praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Living Ready in Light of Christ’s Return
Jesus warned about three dangers that can dull a believer’s spiritual senses: indulgence, drunkenness, and worry. Whether it’s numbing ourselves with pleasure or becoming paralyzed by anxiety, both draw our
